16 Playing with fire

As he came closer, Kristofer became sure of the identity of the woman who had just sung. 

Even though she seemed to have dyed her hair, Kristofer was sure it was her. It was Anna. There was no mistaking it.

He became even more certain when the woman in question locked gazes with him. 

Kristofer instantly saw the look of recognition in her eyes. There was no denying it now. It was truly her and no one else.

"Kristofer," Brett Prestman grinned widely upon seeing him. Kristofer forced himself to smile back, raising the champagne glass in a gesture of toasting with him.

"Happy Birthday, Brett."

"Thanks. I'm glad you made it here." 

Kristofer smiled widely now, too. His eyes briefly flickered towards Anna.

"Yes, I'm glad to be here too."

"Oh, on that note, can I help you with anything?" It did not escape Kristofer's notice that Brett was trying to finish the small talk with him. He had probably interrupted him trying to talk his way with Anna.

The thought invoked something inside Kristofer. It made him snap. He locked eyes with Brett Prestman.

"Oh, I'm all good. I'm just curious about the owner of the lovely voice and wanted to get to know her myself."

Anna watched the exchange happen in front of her. Her resolve to avoid Kristofer Almodiel had suddenly crumbled to dust.

She watched Kristofer Almodiel smile brightly towards Brett Prestman, acting innocent like nothing was amiss. 

But Anna was well aware that Kristofer Almodiel had probably recognized her. How he had looked at her when their gazes had met early on clearly indicated that.

"Ah, of course." 

Anna forced herself to smile as Brett Prestman turned to her briefly before finishing what he was saying to Kristofer Almodiel. 

She found it quite amusing that the two men did not seem well acquainted despite being in the same circle and even close in age.

Yet, it was not surprising. 

People alike don't usually vibe well like two magnets on the same side. It will never connect. However, the opposite always attracts.

"Who would not want to get to know this lady who seemed to have enchanted everyone with her lovely voice?"

Anna smiled shyly once more. Another one of these, and she would probably be unable to stop herself from showing how cringe-y she had felt.

"Indeed." Kristofer agreed, eyeing Anna, who seemed to be forcing her lips to stretch out a smile toward him and Brett Prestman.

Kristofer found it amusing, but he was also getting a little curious about her being at the party. To add, he did not see her as someone who could sing. But she can, and she did.

"You both flatter me too much. I am honored," Anna stated.

In her mind, she could picture herself saying those words through gritted teeth. 

The two men standing in front of her were both wealthy and young. They were the perfect bachelors. Their wealth and charm made it easy for them to lure innocent ladies. It was too easy for them to break their hearts as well.

Anna has yet to decide, though. She has yet to conclude that Brett Prestman was the man her client told her to be. 

She was going to test the waters tonight. Unfortunately, Kristofer Almodiel had suddenly entered the picture. Now, she had to think of a way to get rid of him without giving away that they knew each other beforehand.

"But I don't think I have met either of you yet," Anna stated, bluffing. She glanced at Kristofer, trying to glare at him. 

If only there was a way for her to make him understand how crucial it was that Brett Prestman does not learn of her identity. Unfortunately, the only way for that to happen was if Anna told him why she was there in the first place. That was something Anna could not afford to do.

Aside from her and Nikki, no one else knew about the agency being run by her. To the people who sought her out, she was Prim, and they never saw her face. 

Even her grandmother, especially her brother, Elijah, had no idea about the agency.

Elijah would most likely ask Anna to shut down the agency when he learns about it. He would not understand why Anna had put it up in the first place. He would surely reprimand Anna, telling her that revenge was never a good thing and how it would hurt her in the future.

Anna knew of that. 

She knew she might face a few consequences if her identity as Prim were disclosed to the public. Although the name Prim was only available to her clients, Anna knew that the people whom Prim, the punisher, had encountered would have heard of her by now.

Another fact Anna knew was that some of those had tried to track her down and get even. But, their efforts were futile as Anna had already foreseen such things and made preparations for them.

The only thing Anna had to be wary of was Kristofer Almodiel. He knew her face and her first name. If he could trace back the video scandal to her and discover her identity as Prim, Anna would be as good as dead.

"Right, our apologies." 

Anna knew that Kristofer Almodiel was mocking her. 

The smile he had plastered as those words came out of his mouth had indicated that message towards Anna loud and clear. However, Anna was sure that Brett Prestman was oblivious to the silent exchange that they were having.

"Yes, apologies indeed. I'm Brett Prestman. You must have seen me a few times in news reports and articles. But, I believe that I look better in person than in photos," Brett Prestman has stated in response to her, giving her a wink right after.

For the second time, Anna joined Brett Prestman's hearty chuckle.

"I dare to agree," she stated before turning towards Kristofer Almodiel, who had come a little closer. 

Anna stared at him while the latter gently took one of her hands and brought it to his lips, eyeing Anna as he introduced himself.

"Kristofer Almodiel is at your service, Milady."